Archive for April, 2012

After a week of rain, we met on a blessedly sunny Thursday for the first official work party of the year. In less than 2 hours, we:

Weeded all 10 beds

Harvested and pulled up the last of the chard, kale, and beet greens (sadly no actual beets) planted last year

Built trellises for the peas planted by the Botany Club students

Brainstormed what to plant in the remaining beds

Thanks to Nate, Chris, Amber, Sophia, Elizabeth, and the sun for coming out!

Beds before the work party started - that's some over-wintered kale!

Amber builds trellises for the peas while Chris and Nate harvest kale in the background.

Saturday: Central District Free Plant Exchange

Green Plate Special and Alleycat Acres hosted an amazing and FREE plant exchange on Saturday at the Green Plate Special garden on Union and MLK. Even if people didn’t bring anything to exchange, they were encouraged to take as many plants as they had use for. Sophia and Elizabeth definitely cashed in on this excellent opportunity for Miller CCG and had a hard time choosing from the beautiful and extremely healthy plants that were so lovingly raised to be shared with the community. Seriously awesome event.

Sophia picks some plants from the beautiful starts at the Central District Plant Exchange.

We chatted with Ariel from Taste International who is doing great things with young adults. They also gave us some lovely lavender to plant!

Sunday: Howell Collective P-Patch Tours and More Gardening

Sunday was cloudy but not rainy, so Sophia and Elizabeth headed to the garden to plant Saturday’s bounty and welcome the walking tour. Here’s what was planted (all plants came from the CD plant exchange on Saturday unless otherwise noted):

1 eggplant

1 “Purple Prince” tomato

5 cauliflower starts

10 tiny popcorn starts (from Elizabeth)

a bed of potatoes (from Nate and Howell Collective)

1 artichoke (in a pot all its own)

3 lavender (planted around one of the small trees)

6 Gooseneck loosestrife (how’s that for a name? Planted next to one of the beds)

After the garden tours people convened at Howell for an overcast but dry barbecue. The food was delicious and the conversation inspired. Here’s a shot of the group from afar:

A good crowd gathered at at Howell Collective after the tours for a barbecue.

And just think, this is only the beginning! Stay tuned for more exciting garden updates and announcements.

Our friend and neighbor the Howell Collective P-Patch is offering both a walking and biking tour of gardens in the area this Sunday, April 29 starting at 10:00 am. Yours truly will be on the tour, so come check us and other area gardens out! It’s supposed to be a beautiful, sunny day. If you’d like to take the tour, meet at the Howell Collective P-Patch in Seven Hills Park on East Howell and 16th Ave at 10:00.

After the tour, there is a barbecue at Howell P-Patch from 12:00-3:00. All are welcome to join and encouraged to bring a dish to pass at the BBQ.

It’s that time again! Brush off your gloves and boots and get ready to get your hands dirty.

Who: You and anyone else you invite

What: First official planning and gardening party of the year

When: Thursday, April 26, 5:30-7:30

Where: Miller Community Center (meet inside if raining, otherwise plan to meet in the garden behind the center on 20th and Republican)

Please bring any seeds or starts that you’re willing to donate to the garden. Parks is looking into getting us some seeds and starts as well. We’ll do some weeding and planting if the weather cooperates so plan to get a little dirty. Also, come with ideas – this garden is a blank slate waiting to be written on. Snacks and drinks provided. See you there!